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Sakupwanya's Betterbrands accused of illegal riverbed mining
3 hrs ago |
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The Centre for Research and Development (CRD) has accused Betterbrands Mining Pvt Ltd, a company owned by Zanu PF legislator Scott Sakupwanya, of leading a two-month-long illegal riverbed mining operation in Penhalonga that allegedly left nearly US$2 million worth of gold ore unaccounted for.
In a newly released report titled "Rising Against Impunity: The Power of Accompaniment in Penhalonga's Fight Against Mining Injustice," the watchdog alleges that the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) was complicit in the operations, which took place between May and July 2025 along a section of the Mutare River commonly known as the Island.
According to the report, the large-scale operation involved around 1,000 people, including illegal miners, sponsors and traders, all reportedly under the direction of Betterbrands.
"Calculations by mining experts show that about 18 kilograms of gold, valued at roughly US$1.925 million, were extracted and smuggled under Betterbrands' control," the report reads.
The CRD accuses EMA of double standards, saying the agency denied a community-led initiative to rehabilitate dangerous open pits but went on to permit a politically connected company to mine in violation of environmental and mining laws.
"While denying a community-led initiative to fill dangerous pits, EMA granted permission to a conflicted company to mine in direct violation of national laws," the report states.
Efforts to obtain comment from EMA, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, and Betterbrands Mining were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
CRD Director James Mupfumi said the incident illustrates the deep-rooted culture of impunity in Zimbabwe's mining sector, where politically connected companies allegedly operate above the law while local communities bear the brunt of environmental destruction and insecurity.
"The incident demonstrates the extent of impunity in the mining sector, where illegal operations thrive under political protection while communities face pollution, open pits and insecurity," said Mupfumi.
The watchdog reported that the illicit mining activity has caused severe mercury contamination, property damage, and a total breakdown of law enforcement in the area. A decomposing body of a suspected miner was recently discovered on the Island, a development CRD says underscores the "human cost of lawlessness."
"The cost of environmental destruction from riverbed mining far outweighs any short-term economic gains," Mupfumi warned.
The revelations come amid growing public concern over environmental degradation and unregulated mining activities in Manicaland, where artisanal and small-scale miners have been accused of causing widespread ecological harm with little accountability.
In a newly released report titled "Rising Against Impunity: The Power of Accompaniment in Penhalonga's Fight Against Mining Injustice," the watchdog alleges that the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) was complicit in the operations, which took place between May and July 2025 along a section of the Mutare River commonly known as the Island.
According to the report, the large-scale operation involved around 1,000 people, including illegal miners, sponsors and traders, all reportedly under the direction of Betterbrands.
"Calculations by mining experts show that about 18 kilograms of gold, valued at roughly US$1.925 million, were extracted and smuggled under Betterbrands' control," the report reads.
The CRD accuses EMA of double standards, saying the agency denied a community-led initiative to rehabilitate dangerous open pits but went on to permit a politically connected company to mine in violation of environmental and mining laws.
"While denying a community-led initiative to fill dangerous pits, EMA granted permission to a conflicted company to mine in direct violation of national laws," the report states.
Efforts to obtain comment from EMA, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, and Betterbrands Mining were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
CRD Director James Mupfumi said the incident illustrates the deep-rooted culture of impunity in Zimbabwe's mining sector, where politically connected companies allegedly operate above the law while local communities bear the brunt of environmental destruction and insecurity.
"The incident demonstrates the extent of impunity in the mining sector, where illegal operations thrive under political protection while communities face pollution, open pits and insecurity," said Mupfumi.
The watchdog reported that the illicit mining activity has caused severe mercury contamination, property damage, and a total breakdown of law enforcement in the area. A decomposing body of a suspected miner was recently discovered on the Island, a development CRD says underscores the "human cost of lawlessness."
"The cost of environmental destruction from riverbed mining far outweighs any short-term economic gains," Mupfumi warned.
The revelations come amid growing public concern over environmental degradation and unregulated mining activities in Manicaland, where artisanal and small-scale miners have been accused of causing widespread ecological harm with little accountability.
Source - Masvingo Mirror
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